Tunnel Creek and Windjana National Park

Sunday, September 29, 2013

We started our day with a coffee. Very nice.

The unsealed road to Tunnel Creek was in excellent condition and we made good time to this National Park. The 750m long cave-like tunnel through the hill-side was wonderful. It was very cool being hidden from the sun, but the extra bonus was wading in the creek. Very refreshing. At the halfway point bats were coming and going from the cave through a large opening. They were making a racket while the sound of their leathery wings when flying was very impressive.

The Bat Cave.

Another hour along the King Leopold road and we arrived at Windjana National Park. The rock structures here are similar to coral and used to be a reef some 350 million years ago, so yes under water. Now they provide a home to freshwater crocodiles and numerous birdlife. The blistering heat made the 2km round trip walk hard work, but seeing the crocodiles in those amazing surrounds was worth it.

Windjana Gorge.
Windjana Gorge is one of the best spots to see freshwater crocs up close.

We then headed west to Derby and the coast. At last some relief from the heat with a very pleasant 34°C.